At the interface of medical sciences, basic sciences, and engineering, bioengineering has emerged internationally as an established engineering discipline. As these disciplines converge in the 21st century, bioengineers will solve problems in biology and medicine by applying principles of physical sciences and engineering and applying biological principles to create new engineering paradigms, such as biomimetic materials, DNA computing, and neural networking. The genomic and proteomic revolution will drive a new era in bioengineering industry, and future bioengineers must combine proficiency in traditional engineering, basic sciences, and molecular sciences to function as effective leaders of multidisciplinary teams.

UCLA has a long history of fostering interdisciplinary training and is a superb environment for bioengineers. UCLA boasts the top hospital in the western U.S., nationally ranked medical and engineering schools, and numerous nationally recognized programs in basic sciences. Bioengineers are needed in research institutions, academia, and industry. Their careers may follow their bioengineering concentration (e.g., tissue engineering, bioMEMS, bioinformatics, image and signal processing, neuroengineering, cellular engineering, molecular engineering, biomechanics, nanofabrication, bioacoustics, biomaterials, etc.), but the ability of bioengineers to cut across traditional field boundaries will facilitate their innovation in new areas. For example, a bioengineer with an emphasis in tissue engineering may begin a career by leading a team to tissue engineer an anterior cruciate ligament for a large orthopedic company and later join a research institute to investigate the effects of zero gravity on mechanical signal transduction pathways of bone cells. Someone with an emphasis in bioinformatics may begin a career by data mining the human proteome at NIH before advancing to academia to develop data structure for DNA computing.

Undergraduate Study

HSSEAS Undergraduate Academic Information

Bioengineering B.S.
The goal of the Bioengineering program is to provide students with the scientific knowledge and engineering tools necessary for graduate study in the engineering or scientific disciplines, continued education in health professional schools or employment in industry. There are three main objectives of the educational program: (1) to provide students with a rigorous training in engineering and fundamental sciences, (2) to provide knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art research in bioengineering, and (3) to provide problem-solving and team-building skills to succeed in a career in bioengineering.

Total Units Required: 185

Preparation for the Major

1. Bioengineering 10; Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B, 30BL; Computer Science 31; Life Sciences 2 (satisfies HSSSEAS GE life sciences requirement), 3, 4; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL, 4BL.

The Major

1. Bioengineering 100, 110, 120, 165, 176, 180, 180L, 181,181L, 182A, 182B, 182C;
Chemistry & Biochemistry 153A

2. Three breadth course (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs or see Undergraduate Technical Breath Areas at http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/

3. Any two elective courses from: Bioengineering M105, M106, M131, M172; Biomedical Engineering C101, CM102, CM103, CM145, M150, M150L, C170, C171, CM180, C181, CM183, C185, C187


For information on University and general education requirements, see Requirements for B.S. Degrees on pages 21-22 of the HSSEAS Announcement for details or http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/ge/GE-EngrNew07-08.pdf

Students interested in taking a foreign language to satisfy this requirement must first consult with an academic counselor in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall.